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Aviation minister to lobby Jonathan in Israel

October 24, 2013 by Olusola Fabiyi and Olalekan Adetayo

The embattled Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah and President Goodluck Jonathan

MINISTER of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, has taken the lobby to retain her job to Israel, where she plans to see President Goodluck Jonathan.

The minister, who was said to have found it difficult to see the President in Abuja since the scandal broke out, was said to have also sent many emissaries to speak with the President on the matter.

Though official sources said Oduah was in Israel to sign Bilateral services agreement on behalf of Nigeria with Israel.

It was gathered that she would use the meeting to inform the President that those mounting pressure on him to sack her were his political enemies who did not want him to contest the presidential election in 2015.

A source close to Oduah said, “The minister would use this argument to sway the President to her side.

“She would inform the President not to allow his enemies triumph over him and should also know that if those enemies succeed in pushing her out, then many of the trusted aides of the President would be the next target.”

It was also gathered that the meeting would also afford the minister the opportunity to seek audience with the National Security Adviser to the President, Sambo Dasuki, who is one of the members of the administrative panel set up by the President to investigate the minister. Sambo is also in Israel.

The minister played an important role during the 2011 presidential campaign by overseeing Neighbour-to-Neighbour, which was considered to be one of the potent propaganda arms of President Jonathan campaign organisation was then.

She is said to have been also pencilled down to play a more important role in 2015 for the President.

Apart from this, the minister was said to have marshalled out some points concerning the purchase of the controversial vehicles.

One of which was that the documents of the vehicles did not bear her name.

A statement signed by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authorities, Mr. Yakubu Datti on Tuesday confirmed this.

Datti said, “No mention is made of the fact that, of all the documents paraded for the vehicles, none mentioned the name of the Minister of Aviation.

But the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Rueben Abati said, Oduah decided to travel to Israel ahead of the President rather than waiting to be part of his entourage, because presidential delegation was usually divided into segments.

He said in most of the trips, relevant ministers were expected to travel ahead in order to do the ground works for the President and brief him on arrival.

He said, “Presidential delegation is divided into segments. The President has a main body team that travels with him. Some people can travel ahead of him, it is not everybody that can travel with him. How many people can the presidential aircraft carry?

“That the minister travelled ahead of him is not an issue. Ministers usually go ahead of the President to do ground work, if there are meetings to be done before the President’s arrival, they would have done them. That is how it is done.

“In many of these trips, there will be pre-event meetings that ministers would have attended so that when the President comes, they will brief him. This is not an issue.”

Abati also said that the Presidency did not grant the NCAA any approval to procure the controversial N255m vehicles for the embattled minister.

In an interview with one of our corespondents, Abati, dared the NCAA to produce the approval if indeed such existed.

“That is not true. If they have a presidential approval, let them produce it. People are just trying to politicise the issue. The President has already set up a panel to investigate. That panel has the responsibility to look at all issues that may come up and all issues that have already come up.

“I think people should stop speculating. We should allow that panel to do its job. We should not politicise its work. What they can remain assured of is that the President is interested in the matter,” Abati said.

Olusola Fabiyi and Olalekan Adetayo, what kind of journalism is this I beg you people? Garbage!!!!. Please Punch spare man pikin of gossip and gutter gist. Unua dey read mind?

Brooklyn Allstar

I hope she will be driving one of her bulletproof cars to Israel. at $800,00 apiece, those cars should be able to fly and sail

Emeka Nwaze

Part of the instrument of lobby is her papa you.

Synario

Punch and speculative journalism. Na wao. The Captain that did the purchase who have also have admitted buying the Cars for ministry use is never mentioned . Which kind of garbage is all this. If punch have run out ideas and professionalism. they should let us know. What we normally see in Nigerian newspaper this days are breaking news .You people never followed up news to it logical conclusion.After this week series of Oduah. will will go back to Govt Amaechi and from there to rebels governor. With prediction, one can accurately guess what you will publish tomorrow. Nonsense

Jkemas

To get a balanced news on critical issues i enjoin people to read sun news version on same issue. punch can be misleading.

nwa biafra

All of you in punch are enemies of this country. you will pay for all this mislead and lies.

Baba London

I love punch.. please expose them. That’s why you are the best in Africa… Don’t mind nwa biafra and Synario.. they are family of thief.

greedy tribe

As the controversy still rages over the scandal, Melaye was arrested by the police in Abuja and whisked away in a Toyota Hilux van, marked NPS 21280 at about 1.00 p.m. as he coordinated a protest.

And while the protest at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, at about 11.00 a.m. was going on, there was another pro-Oduah counter protest.

The police, led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Sunday Olukoya, allowed the pro-Oduah protesters to leave, but stopped the bus conveying Melaye’s supporters, declaring that they were under arrest.

Lagos based lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ladi Rotimi-Williams, who also commented on the car purchase saga on Wednesday said Oduah might have chosen to ignore strident calls by Nigerians for her resignation because she feels the allegations against her were not weighty enough.

He also said since the minister is not a civil servant but a Presidential appointee, it is the Presidency that has the final say on her fate.

Boli Atepa

Fiction, not news. Speculation at best. Only the gullible would take this as news.

omoba57

And only a dumb/blind would fail to see where others are busy looking and seeing things.

Patrick

The President need to set up a committee since he has rendered ICPC & EFCC useless.

OLOOTOAYE1

yes oo,with scarcirty of funds

Zebby

another Oduah report from punch
expect another headline about Oduah in a few minutes from Punch
the journalists at punch as so obsessed with Oduah that they will be exclaiming her name when they fork their wives
they probably get erections fantasizing about her

yorubas are greedy tribe

The minister in her executive summary on the procurement of the vehicles which she sent to the President on October 21 said the ministry therefore granted due approval.

In the summary with reference number HMA/PRES/VOL.1/21, exclusively obtained by Daily Independent, Oduah explained further that based on the ministry’s approval, the NCAA invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from all banks in Nigeria for the financing of the said vehicles.

According to her, the EoI was adopted because the procurement was two sided.

“First, the financier would have to be selected before the supplier is determined. This is in line with procurement best practices.

“On 24th May, 2013, the response received from the various banks to the Expression of Interest (EoI) request was opened publicly and minutes of the opening exercise was duly documented.

“During the EoI opening exercise, NCAA got commendation from one of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) approved by BPP who were invited for the opening exercise”.

She said the Evaluation of Expression of Interests was held on May 31 during which First Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC emerged most responsive.

According to her, “On the 10th June, 2013, the above three banks were invited to submit Financial Proposals. Thereafter, First Bank emerged the highest rated responsive bidder.

“Between 20th and 25th June, 2013 invoices were received from various accredited motor vehicle dealers during which only Coscharis motors Limited quoted for BMW security vehicles.

“On 28th June, 2013 NCAA Parastatal Tenders Board approved the selection of First Bank Limited for the Lease Financing as well as the Metropolitan Motor Vehicles and Coscharis for the supply of the vehicles. All necessary approvals were duly sought and obtained accordingly.

“Between 8th July, 2013 to 12th August 2013, various meetings were held with First Bank Limited, contract agreement was signed and necessary documentation executed”.

Oduah explained that because of the statutory role of the NCAA in regulating civil aviation operations in the country, there was need for the agency to be fully equipped with highly specialised tools and facilities (including operational vehicles) to enable the effective implementation of its statutory functions.

“In the 2013 budgetary appropriation, provision was made for the procurement of specialised equipment (including operational vehicles) to complement and in some cases replace obsolete ones. Further, the fact that NCAA, as the regulator of the industry, often plays host to dignitaries from ICAO, IATA, US FAA, AFRAA, AFCAC, BAGASO, CANSO, ACI and a host of others makes it necessary to have specialised operational vehicles.”

The Minister, therefore, stated unequivocally that: “The pricurement of specialised operational vehicles is duly provided for in the NCAA 2013 (IGR) budget and the need for adopting instalmental lease payments over 36 months.

“That Due Process was followed in the procurement of the said operational vehicles.”

Water No Get Enemy

From all you have highlighted above,you and your madam has still not answered the questions Nigerians want answers to,you were just rigmaroling to get an escape route out of this quagmire you put yourselves.We(Nigerians)are awaiting the report of the Presidential Committee on Oduahgate,your submissions are not convincing enough and may send your principal out of the Aviation Ministry and to jail if you present this before the committee.Please learn to call a spade a spade!!!

LopezoAbroad

If you were in the probe committee and the above submission from the minister was presented to you, what would you say to counter it? It is good to ask the right questions so that the loop holes can be made visible. Hundreds, if not thousands of this type of vehicles have been bought by various organs/agencies of government in Nigeria. It does not make it morally right to spend such huge amounts though. If we are angry about the cost, then it may be justifiable, not that NCAA or the minister is not entitled to such vehicles. Lets be realistic and not spend our time on what we can’t win. Nigeria needs cleansing but these are mere symptoms of the greater rot. Fix the big rotten fish and all these will fall in place accordingly. THE SYSTEM NEEDS A CHANGE, A POSITIVE CHANGE.

OLOOTOAYE1

have you read reuben abatti speach just in this report above that the presidency never approved this procurement meaning it was subjected to due process as enshrined in our fiscal resonsibily act,meaning there was no budgjetry approval for the procurement.
all her expalantion is null and void given that there was no budgjetry approval for the procurement,PERIOD.
Well let her try her feminine majic as we hear she is now in israel on a purported visit for bilaterla agreement meeting at the same time the president is on pilgrimaje to israel with sambo dasuki a memeber of rpobe panel in attendance.
nigerians are watching,as this events unfolds and nigerian are wiser now.

Erogbogbo John

Whoever responsible for this Scam finance, i mean the MD/CEO of the banks, should not be paid back. The “Oga” at the top that approved the payment of the money should be sacked by the bank shareholders. They should all share in the blame for not able to think clearly on Nigerians pressing needs which is not in tandem with buying an expensive BMW cars from Coscharis.

ozaluoku

punch…we should await the probe than this bedroom article…

akin

The PPD is the worst thing that has happened to Nigeria in the fight against corruption.The panel is an attempt to cover up the matter and going to Israel with the President and a member of the rubbish called panel has given her victory already.Like some people have said someone must be sleeping with this woman in Abuja

Nneomaoluseye

Country of ignorant idiots govern by fools

Dr Pat Kolawole Awosan

President Jonathan, has brought Nigeria presidential position low and dragged that position to the drain by abandoning his presidential duties to lead a christian prigrims
to Israel.How many other civilized nations around the World president/prime minister have led their nations prigrims to IIsraeli on religious purpose?
What business does a competent,capable,transparent president Jonathan requires to
perform in Israel while abandoning his elected position and strategic duties to Nigeria people behind?
President Jonathan will be going to Israel to settle his aviation minister-Stella Oduah embezzlement and looting of public treasuries in aviation sector of N255 million naira which she stole to purchase three BMW-760i-bullet-proof-armoured.President Jonathan is a huge mistake and disgrace to Nigerians and the presidency..

Red MA Gbamire

The president is exercising hid religious right to Israel. Why are we always seeking the bad side of every thing in this country? Those that inciting Nigerians for violence should know that one day they will rule this country and they will experience the highest opposition, mark my word.

Raphael okoye

tell them, its very easy for them to always condemn.

labake

Good he has the right to do that but not when as a President, it is high time we get it right in this Country , there are problems here and there i think such prayer could be done here, after all visitation to Mecca and Jerusalem are not the only condition to make paradise even in Islam it is the last Pillar. One of the reasons he was voted for was to make a difference not to join the bad eggs.

Babakeu

Don’t mind them! What political Isreal are they talking about here? If Mr President wants to sincerely perform a religious rite in Isreal, why then bringing in politics into it? Why going to Isreal as a business trip if he indeed wants to perform pilgrimage? It is all a rigmarole business trip to enjoy and waste Nigerian resources. Isreal pilgrimage indeed!

chikeluba

Where were you when Fashola forcefully relocated his fellow citizens and jetted off to lesser hajj? Is this tribalism a curse or what?

Babakeu

Can you just hear yourself? ”…when Fashola forcefully relocated his fellow citizens and jetted off to lesser hajj! What is the sense in this your irrelevant comment? Did Fashola go on lesser hajj with many of his commissioners, personal aides and several others as entourage for bilateral meetings while on lesser hajj? Why cant you understand simple explanation?

chikeluba

Irrelevant? So a governor can go on pilgrimage but a president cannot, is it not some northern governors that are sponsoring people to go to lesser hajj, why can’t the president go on pilgrimage with people? Sometimes I don’t understand how some people reason. It is either you think others are daft or you are the one that is.

Babakeu

Where did you read in my comment that I said a governor can go with large entourage to any holy land? I think you are a confused fellow for not reading comment very well before replying. Please, go back and read my comment.

chikeluba

So because he is President, he can’t go for pilgrimage? one thing about jealousy is that you don’t know when you are exhibiting it.

mr no nonsense

Who gave u this doctorate degree? And how old are u? U don’t talk like a matured man or a grown up, or as I it just hatred u have for GEj that made u so blind and unreasonable?

Chris

I can recall vividly when the former appeal court judge was having issues regarding bribery case he was ask to step aside by the presidency for them to carry out investigation..To my question to the President why cant him tell the so called Aviation Minister to step aside for investigation to be concluded?

OLOOTOAYE1

gbam

chikeluba

It is because it is only a section of the country that are asking her to step aside, so it makes it have an ethnic coloration and as much as the President doesn’t like corruption, he also doesn’t like tribalism.

Truthbtold

Good point!

Raphael okoye

Dr pat, am sorry you are a mistake your self, so because he is the president he should not go for pilgrimage, you are not better than any body, the minister for aviation remains the best minister of aviation this country Will have in this recent time, the car belongs to the ministry, it’s not her personal car, it was not bought in her name, common why do Nigerians politicize every thing.

Jamie’s Airspace

Yeah GEJ can travel for pilgrimage he is entitled to it. As for the aviation minister, no one is saying she bought the cars in her own name. The issues in this scenario are that these cars are bought at inflated prices, secondly it is a misplacement of priority to buy those cars at a time when the airports don’t have good landing facilities. Foreign airlines at some point had to divert to other airports due to non functional landing facilities at night.not all the airports have airfield lightning systems and also the aviation agencies are struggling financially. That money could have been used to fix the airports instead of buying cars.
However, to be fair to her she has done her own bit by renovating the airport terminals and even got Ethiopian airlines to run services to ENU

Raphael okoye

My brother thanks for your response but I think the minister has done well and should not be tarnished just like somebody that has done noting positive since assuming office and can still do better, for the first time in the history of this country an aviation minister has taken to reconstructing airports across the nation, the facility upgrade is ongoing, the aviation road map is one that will revolutionise the sector , but this things take time, its unfortunate she has been faced with series of air mishaps, but I tell you she has the ability to get money from government and she is putting it to use. let Nigerians stop politicising every thing, yes this is not the best of time for the aviation sector, but things are taking shape.

MUILI AMIDU

Well said Sir, but you have not addressed the issue of inflated prices. What do you say about the inflated price and how should Nigerians react to it not to politicize the issue? Should people keep quiet just because she did well in many areas but outrageously inflated car prices in another area? Who knew how much inflation has taken place in other areas for which she earned praises? Your advice Sir, Raphael Okoye.

Raphael okoye

My brother, thank you for your response, well on the issue of inflation, it was said by the whistle blower, I don’t know how much such armoured cars cost, so in my capacity I can not authoritatively say that the cost was inflated. relevant government agency’s are investigating the matter, let us not pre-empt there findings, that’s why I said Nigerians should not politicise the issue.

Magic

But people in automobile confirmed that it was inflated and coscharis are willing to refund the difference,do u know what that means?

Raphael okoye

thanks magic, you see Nigeria is the only country were when national issues like this come everybody will turn Mr. know it all, ask your self why would coscharis want to refund money, that means nobody really cheated, so what it means is that coscharis sold them the car very costly and people should stop doing business with him because he sales costly.

ZIK

a very expensive BMW M3 DTM is just $132,660 check for most expensive BMW online this0 OBUAH’s 0version is0 not0 in0 top ten. they all stole MADUKA0 too should answer some questions.

Raphael okoye

thank you Zik, you see when you enter a car shop in south africa to buy a Toyota camry for example the cost is different from when I call Toyota and order from Japan, now for that the same BMW the cost of the one on-line is different from when you order with specifications. if you make an order for any product it comes with different specifications.

metucellar

my brother u are there, all this blacmail is as a result of enugu internationl airport has now commence opreation this enermy of progress, hausa fulani and yorubas, are behind all these but darkness can not over take light she was not the one that bought the car her name was not mention during the course investigation punch news paper don’t have any meaningful thing to report again the woman has turn around the aviation industry what the so called born to rule can not do since independence is a shame that most nigerians are so myopic to the call that they allow themselves to be decieved by this crooks called politisians.

Raphael okoye

metucellar, thanks for applying reasoning in your reaction, this whole thing and blowing it out of proportion has some tribalistic undertone, look the Nigerian civil war never ended until the day Ethiopian airline flew in and out of the Igbo land in Akanu ibiam international airport. today Igbo man can take off from enugu and land in enugu, “ADAEZE PRINCESS ODUAH ” she is a grate woman.

Schillaci

@Raphael, I’m completely of the opinion you need a Psychiatric evaluation with your comment?

Raphael okoye

thanks , I was expecting to see your own comment after the compliment of a psychiatric evaluation, but let discuss on the subject matter, it was my own opinion that made you suggest what I need, so please state your own opinion. Thanks

Ofuruye Ofurukanme

Only Muslim Presidents and governors plus ministers are entitled to piigrimage a Christian President shouldn’t undertake such. It is a crime and waste of resources. But it’s not a waste of resources when northern heads of states in the guise of being Muslim use the same resources for years to travel to Saudi all these times for pilgrimage.
All these Southern crabs syndrome sufferers know how to dig graves so well alas they are the ones that fall into them.

Babakeu

Please, no one says Mr christian president should not go on pilgrimage. But can you please tell us the name of any former Mr muslim president that went on pilgrimage to Mecca together with his some ministers, special advisers and several others as entourage? Has any former Muslim president ever gone on pilgrimage for bilateral meetings with Saudi government? Does Saudi’s government even see any president of whatever country whilst in pilgrimage? If Jonathan wants to go on pilgrimage to isreal, then let him do so while not bringing in issues of bilateral meetings which will amount to wastage of Nigeria resources on such jamboree trip to Israel with such big entourage. What a jamboree trip to Israel in the name of pilgrimage! Nonsense!

yinka

Did you understand what they do at Bilateral meetings at all? Can you count all the Muslim presidents we have had in this country? i don’t think we should count the Military presidents however you can take a cue from all the Muslim Civilian Governors from 1999 till date.
Going to Isreal for Pilgrimage which is not really a serious matter because no one makes it compulsory and co-joining it with Bilateral agreement with the Israeli Govt to me is a better way of using the time. Could be opportunity to fashion out some alliance in our security outfit and trade balances with isreal.
No need for arguement

Babakeu

Dont quote me wrong. No one is saying it is bad to go for bilateral meeting with any foreign government. But the number of people in the president’s entourage is what we always see as jamboree trip of sort. Dont we see when USA president, Barack Obama, visits some foreign countries. How many people in government as big entourage does he take along with himself for such bilateral meetings? Why does this Jonathan government like squandering public funds on foreign trips as if it is his personal wealth? What is the essence of Mr Abati saying that ”..how many people will the presidential jet carry…”. Does that not mean Mr Jonathan likes going to foreign countries with unnecessary large number of people in government? Is it not the public fund that is involved in such extravagant trips? What a wasteful and imprudent president is Mr Jonathan!

Truthbtold

God bless you! Oluwa a yi e ka.

Ofuruye Ofurukanme

How would you know when you don’t read?
Ode

Ofuruye Ofurukanme

Mscheeew!
No need to respond to your kind
Since it would have been better for the President to travel again after the pilgrimage for business and their concretisations in Israel

ademiluwa

The explanation given by the Aviation Minister that the due process was followed in purchasing the armored vehicles is a full and final confirmation that the woman is totally oblivious of the gravity of the indiscretion of both the NCAA and the Aviation Ministry in this matter. From the explanation, there is procedural misdemeanor as well as moral bankruptcy in the whole exercise which further accentuated the systemic decay in the polity. A simple question which has not yet been answered is where was the bid for the procurement of the vehicles publicly advertised for suppliers to participate? Secondly, is the procurement of N257m armoured vehicles for Oduah or visiting officials of ICAO etc the priority of NCAA in view of the daunting challenges facing the aviation sector? There is a failed attempt by Oduah’s spin doctors to reduce the debate to a Yoruba vs Ndigbo expletives. It shows the outlandish extent some people can go to defend and justify crime and immorality. Unfortunately, all Nigerians are victims of NCAA/Oduah’s terrible indiscretion. This is a golden opportunity for Jonathan to sanitise the Aviation sector and put competent people in charge. Fortunately, the Igbo nation has several competent and morally upright people in the aviation sector who can fit the bill.

ZIK

you are just on point.

Matthew keyh

she may have followed due process but the prices of the cars are too expensive and overbloated .During the due process a lot of water may have passed under the bridge, many officials of NCAA may have received kickbacks in the process or she may have received kickbacks in the process ,afteral the cars are tokunboh 2008 model ,those cars should not sell more than $60000 ,the cars are not new either
matt, UK

CHRISTOPHER

Matthew thanks ! that’s the issue. the price of these Cars were nefariously inflated out of their original price.

DONALD

Dr Awosan Pat, disappointedly, you always talk out of point. What is wrong in President Jonathan travelling to Israel on Pilgrimage? Already you have grouse with the president and so there is nothing he does that pleases you. We have had many Muslim Presidents in this country in the past – Were they not often travelling to Mecca on Hajj? Dr Awosun, please reason like someone who went have been to school. It is glaring that you do not like Jonathan, then wait till 2015 and elect somebody of your choice as president.

erogbogbo john

Donald, you are being myopic. Jonathan left his house burning ( the common man’s children are at home, because ASSU is on strike) while he is on Pilgrimage to Israel. Truly if his children attend public school, he would not have been too comfortable.Or What does he want to achieve there? can’t his trip be postponed till any other time even, if he isn’t elected President again, can’t he afford to undertake it on his own? Or because our money is readily available and it is at his disposal? So he want to spend/steal ( e.g Oduah gate) us blind? God is on His throne and His judgement is true…

Babakeu

Thank you my brother. Mr President to Isreal? Jamboree pilgrimage to Isreal! Nonsense!

labake

I don’t think any Muslim President had done this before, i knew of Vice President but a Muslim President ? i doubt it but if there is let me know. Anyway i would have said same thing if it were to be a Muslim President. Jonathan should have a rethink , he needs to be focused

pet

yar’adua went to Mecca my friend. Get ur fact correct.

Babakeu

If Yaradua went to mecca for pilgrimage only. Did he also go to Mecca with some of his ministers and personal aides in order to hold several so-called bilateral meetings with the Saudi government, which Mr Jonathan and his cohorts jetted out for? Who is deceiving who here? Why cant Mr President go on pilgrimage to isreal, may be with one or two aides, and sincerely perform his religious rites without having to lavishly spend Nigeria money on so many entourage in such a jamboree trip to Israel? Are all these people in entourage on pilgrimage spending their own money for such trip? Why wasting our money on frivolous trips? How will they even have time to pray or perform sincere religious rites when bilateral meetings have taken over many of their time while in Isreal? Why not even telling us that they want to go for bilateral meetings instead of selling us lies? I don’t support spending public funds on personal pilgrimage, be either to mecca or isreal. This nonsense has to stop!

Truthbtold

Here we go again! When the president went to China, SA, USA etc etc did he go with a few aides? Try and give the benefit of the doubt sometimes. What’s wrong with hitting two birds with one stone? A holy pilgrimage (in these trying times in Nigeria) plus bilateral agreements/talks. Why do we always make a mountain out of a mole hill but always fail to praise positive steps when it comes to this president?

OLA

I don’t see anything bad if the president embarked on a trip to ISRAEL. I know its for prayer on NIGERIA. But he should have proceed with some True man of GOD,not with corrupt cabinet.

CHRISTOPHER

Yes Ola there is nothing bad!

CHRISTOPHER

Labake, Several other Nigerian President Did such in the Past. As a current Serving President. He has the right to practice his religious belief as a Christian.
London Britain!

Babakeu

Can you please tell us those muslim Nigerian presidents that ever went on pilgrimage to Mecca while in power, or while Nigeria was in serious political, economic and social crisis? If there were any, can also proof to us that they went on pilgrimage to Mecca with second intention of holding several bilateral meetings with the Saudi government while on religious pilgrimage as Mr President Jonathan is going on pilgrimage to Israel for serious bilateral meetings with the israeli government? Should any religious pilgrimage become a jamboree trip for enjoyment with several entourage? Who is deceiving who? Pilgrimage to isreal indded!

Hastel Idowu

In my opinion,the president can go to Israel for the intended ritual and use the opportunity to have bilateral meeting with Israeli’s president.

Normally as a president of a country,he will be honoured by the host president or government representative with a meeting or just brief sit-out.I am very sure it happened in Saudi Arabia whenever a Muslim president go for Hajj.

Babakeu

I really understand you my friend. The number of people in that entourage is the main issue here. I heard Mr Abati saying ”…how many people can the presidential aircraft carry…?”. This signifies that the number of people following the president to such trip with public fund is unwelcome to me as a person. There is absolutely no need for such extravagance. We should learn how to manage public fund to prepare for rainy days. Did Yaradus ever go to Mecca with such large entourage? For what purpose if not for a jamboree?

Hastel Idowu

As for me,if it is for the rituals i don’t mind.Who know, God may touch their hearts and make them act positively different on arrival.

osisi

Mr teacher you forget to teach us when hausa / Fulani was going to mecca and how your brother obasanjo tackle corruption during his own time.

Alagies

Dr. Pat, It is your father that is a disgrace to Nigeria not the President.

If you been given an opportunity to go into the presidency, you do worst than any other person has ever done. So mind you mouth and reason before you make any comment on this platform.

Gab

You have spoken well like a fool

labake

you’ve spoken my mind. Ha! what a President.

01chim52

Oh, gbo. Pls. be careful:- Blood Pressure !!!! Take it easy. All is vanity.

EchePontiac

It seems that this man called native Dr.Kolawole Awosan is a pagan otherwise I see no reason why he should be opposing the president who opted to lead a delegation to the Holy Land…instead of being appreciative of the fact that we have a president who has the interest of the people who elected him at heart and deem it fit to present the matter rocking the nation to God almighty, this imbeciles opted for castigation on the revered presidency.

What business has stela Odua and her #255million cars got to do with Jonathan in Israel or simply because of the “bad bely” you already developed against our amiable president who is working tirelessly to see that Nigeria is in peace?

Your statement on this issue is regrettable and as such you should visit a celestial church where they will use pigeon and koboko to flog out that idiocy in you.

Babakeu

Why then tell us the names of any former Christian or muslim presidents who ever led a delegation to either Holy Land in Isreal or Mecca in the name of pilgrimage? Mr President Jonathan is the first sitting president who will ever take such a jamboree trip, with entourage, to the holy land for pilgrimage. What an insincere so-called trip to holy land when we all know that it is just another way of lavishing our national wealth!

Musa Aliyu

Dr Pat Kolawole Awosan, where and how did you obtain your Doctorate? Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is human being who apart from being a President, he’s naturally and constitutionally endowed with rights and privileges of personal worship of his God either by pilgrimage or whatsoever means he chooses. Every year Vice President Namadi Sambo, Atiku, even Late President Yar adua went on pilgrimage to Mecca Saudi Arabia, did you complain? Foolish Dr

chikeluba

Where were you when Fashola forcefully relocated his fellow citizens and jetted off to lesser hajj? Is this tribalism a curse or what? Why can’t a whole president go and pray to God in Israel? Do you think he’s an ordinary citizen like you? All these people talking rubbish can’t say anything if someone like Buhari is the President, most people here will be in jail.

Agbor Kingsley

Stop commenting trash,if you don’t know what say the number of car purchase was two not three nonsense.

daniel

You can’t think with you Dr.

James

He is doing it because of next election, Jonathan is try to win the Christian Society to his side one more time so that he can buy planes for some Christian leaders. Re-election agenda

EDDY

If I WERE INCHAEGE AT PUNCH OR SAHARA REPORTTERS, I WOULD HAVE MADE IT A POINT OF DUTY TO CARRY OUT INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTIC REPORTING ON THE KIND OF WHEELS THE OTHER MINISTERS ARE USING AS OFFICIAL CARS. THIS CONCENTRATION ON STELLA ODUA BY PUNCH UNDERSCORES THE BIAS PUNCH NEWSPAPER HAS ON THIS LADY. YESTERDAY, THERE WERE REPORTS THATSHE ALSO HAS FOUR STRETCH LIMOS WHICH WAS LATER DEBUNKED.ENOUGH ALREADY PUNCH.

Femi Pedro

But you are not. Leave Punch out of this

Ola

I believe you are not an illiterate, when you write In upper case it means you are shouting, pls write what we can read…. Lower case will be better

st sunny

all the punch reporters always give fake news about this lady why?? is she the only minister in nigeria?pls punch newspaper stop misleanding nigerians,and i believe that punch is not only newspaper in nigeria.other parts of the world are reading what you are reporting so becareful of what you write.

Water No Get Enemy

Certainly she is not the only Minister,but right now she is the only one caught in the act.Yourself and Eddy should stop blaming punch,they are doing their job.

OLOOTOAYE1

my friend read other newspapers you will see its not only punch that reported this issue.
please also note that that both NCAA and minster have cofirmed purchase of the vehicles so keep queit if you doent know what to write

OLOOTOAYE1

eddy,leave punh alone at least both NCAA and minister has not denied the alegations of purchase of these vehilces,stop swallowing pils another persons headache

Femi Pedro

Only in Nigeria does Political enemies drag people in power to make corrupt, self centred, rotten decisions for personal aggrandisement. How irritating and at the same elementarily funny

Harry

F**k u Abati! Oduah must step down or Jonathan would step down period! One of them must go…we don’t have time for another Farouk Lawal. President Jonathan is a f**ked up man.

Ola

Interesting country…..she’s a hero to some, to some, a villain.
Every one suspects his brother.
Unity becomes an orphan
The country left to suffer
Common sense is left in the gutter
The westerners watch in wonder
Whether the slaves of trade by batter
Are equal to them in any matter
Only we can prove to them that we matter
But not when we have different agenda
For how long shall the country continue to suffer
That question I leave you to answer
If you truly want it to last forever.

obiokorp

Eddy, who are you? You are nobody to swallow “akpu or amala,” and allow your belle-full have the better of you this evening. Who is a(the) slave of trade by bata? Look here my friend, if you want “a person of your ethnic group” to be the next president of Nigeria, get to work now and properly vette the person of your choice for the 2015 election. Otherwise, shut up!!!!

OLOOTOAYE1

haba,what is the issue of 2015 contest in this matter?

blogNaija

mr president said corruption is not our main problem; what a leader!
the circle is complete.
get your bribe from your desk;
the police have to collect theirs too;
phcn also has a desk to rake in theirs;
aviation operators will not miss out;
hospital will not stand idly;
schools are part of the community;
FROM THE PROCEED FROM YOUR DESK
you will settle, phcn, police, hospital, schools, etc DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY

Ola (aka Apkan)

In 9ja, every body is going to yankee,
Even stowaway boy is given a scholarship to go away,
our teachers are on strike for hike in corruption,
no money for masses, with infant mortality, mothers are mourning,
Doctors are on strike,
our leaders are looting,

Idris say Nigeria Jagajaga, but i say Nigeria go better, for the better
But a fool at 53 is a fool forever.

blogNaija

someone said our DNA carries this error. it’s scary! our leaders go to other societies (seeing how they are governed) but can’t help operating a jungle system at home.

Kotoko

They are all insane!

Revo

Abati-Abathief

Danobi

We pretend to belong to one united country because of crude oil.

If we are one, the aviation minister should not have been subjected to this mental torture for whatever reasons, talk less, for reasons of what ever must have been the shortfalls in a 255million Naira official transaction.

David Okoli

You are just too good for this forum, your comment are exceptional, you are a true Nigerian, your type we want not useless comment that negate our strong aspiration to build a nation where everybody is contributing his or her own quota, Nigerian should learn how to give and contribute to building their own nation and not always barrage of abuse and criticism that offers no solution. My prediction is in 2017, Nigeria will witness an economic revolution,we will all smile Please folks keep up the hope the economic engine is getting nearer

obiokorp

Steller Oduah is a runaway train. This creep of a woman should be sanction from federal government service for good!

Ogenna

Nigeria kind of journalism, repeating the same old story every day because we don’t have anything else to write.

mathew

Punch am not interested in your story. She is doing her work as long she is still serving as minister. Let us wait for outcome of the probe.

nigeriana

Am amazed at the clannish attitude of Igbos . Stella oduah acted corruptly and she is been chastised by all nigerians not Yoruba alone. I will list 3 instances here and allow nigerians judge the cases. Chief sunday afolabi&co were prosecuted for fraud during obj tenure because of national id card sleaze, prof grange(minister for health)was prosecuted during obj tenure because she didn’t return unspent money to the federal purse, tafa balogun’s case too. In all these cases I ask the Igbo ethnic warlords here if they heard Yoruba people accusing igbos or hausas of persecution, did they ever heard yorubas blaming punch or sahara reporters for reporting these sleazes! Another incident happened during obj tenure, Fabian osuji was accused of stealing 55million naira, IBO people defended him saying the money he stole was too small , hence he should b left off d hook. Soludo even told a joke back den, when he said ” ibos are being marginalised in corruption too bcos osuji stole 55 million only while other tribes stole much more. Igbos should exercise self restraint.

Gift Major

This minister is so shameless. She should have resigned by now and also arrested for interrogation, rather she is still carrying on her official duties. What kind of country is this?

Water No Get Enemy

If lobbying the President and NSAdviser (who is a member of the Presidential Probe Panel) can exonerate her from this scam it cannot exonerate her from Nigerians.Lets all await the outcome of the Probe Panel and stop preempting them.

KAY

Nigeria has become a problematic country because of the way we handle issues. All of us are shouting of ODUAH, Why not the President, the BPP, The Finance, the NCAA etc.
Firstly, procurement starts from initiating MDAs by raising memo through the PS to the executive head’s recommendation for Mr. President’s approval as per the N225m in question. This memo must have undergone internal market survey by the initiating MDAs before been recommended for President approval.
the President must seek for BPP’s No Objection Certificate, of which the BPP must first check the feasibility of the procurement from the Budget provision and conduct a market survey secretly and the President can issued a conditional approval as ” to go ahead with procurement procedures”.
after issuance of BPP certificate of No Objection, the MDAs must either advertise or invite at least 3 reputable Vendors through Quotation Solicitation Letter for them to bid for such procurement.
after the opening of Bids, the winner is to be declared based on responsiveness of its quoted price to that of BPP vetted price.
and finally, Mr President can give his final approval for the procurement at the BPP VETTED PRICE NOT THE QUOTED PRICE
etc
My argument is that the Committee should check out who approved and vetted the project and all of them should be invited not only NCAA and ODUAH ALONE

erogbogbo John

Whoever responsible for this Scam finance, i mean the MD/CEO of the banks, should not be paid back. The “Oga” at the top that approved the payment of the money should be sacked by the bank shareholders. They should all share in the blame for not able to think clearly on Nigerians pressing needs which is not in tandem with buying an expensive BMW cars from Coscharis. All those who have direct/indirect relatiionship with buying these should not be spared. Even, if Jonathan has a hand in it because of N2N, he should be impeacehed and handedover to EFCC, ICPC, SS, POLICE etc for prosecution.

DANCHIMAMMA

HE is not going there for pilgrimage, but to sigh a bilaterall agrement on aviation, which ODUAH MUST BE THERE. she is not there to lobby the president

Ofuruye Ofurukanme

Only Muslim Presidents and governors plus ministers are entitled to piigrimage a Christian President shouldn’t undertake such. It is a crime and waste of resources. But it’s not a waste of resources when northern heads of states in the guise of being Muslim use the same resources for years to travel to Saudi all these times for pilgrimage.
All these Southern crabs syndrome sufferers know how to dig graves so well alas they are the ones that fall into them.
Awon criminal yet compulsive mekunus

SILAS

It is evident that Jonathan may not offload Oduah as expected. Reason: the Madam was key to his 2011 presidential campaign and would be expected to play similar but more proactive roles in 2015.

osisi

no he will offload your papa and mama and then your girl friend also
will offload you.

dd

Very interesting, so Punch now have mind scanners! You can now scan someone’s mind and tell what he or she wish to say to Jonathan. Or you have started prophetic ministry – I will send my tithe and offering soon!!!

Abi Ajiboye

Aviation Minister colluded with Coschari Motors to defraud Nigerians millions out of the said limited state resources by Goodluck Jonathan through his Finance Minister. President do nothing and instead continue to waste national resources on a sinful pilgrimage to Jerusalem with corrupted officials.

ASUU has being on strike for months this year again with many youths at home and getting wasted while President and his cabinet’s children are either studying in private institutions in Nigeria or outside Nigeria living and studying comfortably without any worry about what they will eat or become in life because those are done deals by their parents.

Stephen Keshi is owed 7 months salaries and NFA said its not a new thing.

How can any sensible person thinks President Jonathan is sensitive and deserves to rule beyond May, 2015. My advise to Mr President and his cohort is that ‘those that leave in glass house should remember not to throw stones’

Adams

From this story, the outcome of the report by the Panel may not be different from the previous similar reports. In fact even before the Panel commences seating, the woman might have been exonorated. While in Israel, the President may shot into her ears and say, don’t mind those stupid APC people, you have done well, ride on my sister!

Zebby

but she has now
what your uncle fani could not achieve
she has

most of our airports are shining

Jane

Ok, a shining, shouting example to the world…federation account balanced.

Magic

Before nko,after 2-3 round of sex,case dismiss…

seunalao

The Light is more than some abstract, unknowable energy force. Light is Truth. If Light is truth, then darkness must be lies. Each and every lie we tell to ourselves and others casts the shadow of separation upon us. Every time even the most minor deception is revealed and the truth is made known we are re-united with the Light. So, Let there be Light and You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all the people all the time.

isa

Some years ago, a colleague of mine from the same state though we speak different languages told me point blank that they will rather rather vote for a thief from their tribe than voting any other tribes from the same state even if such a person is know to be a saint This is how bad things has turn in my coutry. This is Nigerians mentality. Only very few people with moral dignity stand out this day to defend the truth. For me what is wrong is wrong. God help Nigeria

freeman

mr. Abati… in many time we have had of committee set up for such purpose of investigation.. what are the result so far,,,,,,if you can tell Nigerians the truth..? nothing… so what is the different now….?

Agbor Kingsley

By his grace this time around the result must come out wait and see.

freeman

ok. bro.. i hopefully hope so.

Ekwy

Haba Punch!! You even know what the Minister will tell the President!! This is poor journalism. Please grow up!!

Jane

Where would she mount this “lobby”? On Mount Tabor or elsewhere?….just asking.

SIM CHUCK

what has politic got to do with competence?? Did she really say that or punch is just speculating??? Na wa oooooooo. Make GEJ sack this woman and take another woman if that sector must be managed by a lady. wetin self??????????

Agbor Kingsley

Sacking the woman is not a problem,the issue is to get the right person who can deliver the job successfully without having the same problem.

MAHANTA_LOVE

lets if the President would condone corruption, stealing, for 2015 election. If the minister get a whip in the wrist, it would have adverse infect on GEJ 2015 election struggle. It would be a good jump off point for opposition campaign.

sao

Creator: Oh dear Nigeria, where is thy strength?
Where is thy glory?
Where is thy pride?
Where is thy unity?
What hath troubled thy peace?
What hath taken away thy vision?
What does thy future look like?
Where is thy hope?
Does truth still live in thee?

Nigeria: My creator, corruption has taken away the strength, the glory, the pride,

the hope, the peace etc. What do I do to restore these virtues?

Creator: Eschew corruption! Rebuke it vehemently! Above all get a virtue that does

not wear mask.

Nigeria: Mask? Well, I don’t know any virtue that wears mask or anyone that does not
wear mask.

Creator: Corruption wears mask and only truth can unveil it.
Truth wears no mask! Are you ready to uphold the truth?

Creator: Nigeria! Nigeria! Nigeria!!!!!!!!!! Why the pause?

mathew

sao, I like your poem. Very good

Successman

Left to me, I would ensure no state funds is spent henceforth on these jamboree ‘pilgrimages’ — both Christian and Muslim. Of what use is visits to so-called holy lands to ordinary Nigerians on the street. Yet, the so-called visitors waste our resources on visits that do not rub off positively as to inspire them to rule or govern us well… Every year, these public officers go on pilgrimage (either full or lesser hajj, or to Isreal) only to return to loot more, increase their corruption competence and make life more terrible for the citizens. I am a sound believer in God and a practicing christian by God’s grace, one cannot be dazed at the level of hypocrisies of these individuals. While the economy is as it is, and students are forced home by striking teachers, doctors on strike, boko haram keeps maiming and killing, etc., what our leaders are interested is frivolous trips and ostentatious display of ill-gotten wealth. Does Nigeria deserve all these waste of public resources ,misplacement of priorities, and outright disregard for feelings of the citizens? We need leadership in this nation. That’s the only thing we lack now, though we have all other things. We need a man (or woman) who has a mind and is willing to be used of God to bring sanity to our consciousness. Despite their excesses of the military, imagine what generations of decent Nigerians we would have had over the past 30 years if the WAI policy was sustained. Buhari/Idiagbon had almost every citizen under control. Though I’m not advocating for Buhari, that era is what we need urgently, even in democracy. And it can happen if we have an individual, a leader with purpose and mind.

The Parrot

Re-pilgrimages…

When Buhari tried to stop funding Muslim pilgrimages back in 1984…he got plenty of abuse……including being accused of not being a ‘true’ Muslim.

I doubt any Nigerian leader will try to defund pilgrimages…..the political damage resulting would be too great to sustain.

Magic

All this goverment officials need to start swearing in front of sango and Ogun ,if this happens,nigeria will change for a better,cos this people aren’t scared of jail as far as PDP is in goverment .

truthurts

Someone should Please wake me up. Is Jonathan really the president of this country? Or have these women cabal taken over? No no no I think I got it now…. he must probably have hidden fantasy for them maybe he is a kind that woo his secret admirers with juicy positions and allow them perpetrate all evils. Jonathan has lost it. He is clueless. He is rudderless. Let’s just watch the film to the end but with a STERN WARNING TO PDP, there must not be part two

Bugzy007

Whats your source of the message given to a trusted aid to deliver to the president. Abi youur part of the trusted aid to deliver lobbying message to the President! Vanguard!!!. i will like to know your source

CHRISTOPHER

Mr President may have been disappointed, if it is eventually ascertained that a female Minister with highly expected reputations from the Presidency and the Nigerian Public could indulge her self in such. My worries and I believe Public worries over this matter was not that the Aviation Ministry in which she is heading bought two Bullet proof BMW Cars for her and for the use for the Ministry Delegates. But the issues and the apparent worries of the Masses was that the prices of these Cars were inflated, just in order to give them the opportunity to steal money.Is horrible and disappointing if that was what happened!
London UK

Danobi

Desperation journalism. Junk. Total Condescension to tribal hate mongering. You take the president like a man without his own grey matter. Instead you practice journalism like one without.

Stephen

Can Ruben Abati be taken at his words again ? I remember the time he said nothing happened to Mrs Patience Jonathan that she only travelled abroad, But when Patience Jonthan came back she confessed during her thanks giving service that she was in coma for seven days. My warning to Greediness personified Stella Oduah don’t corrupt Jerusalem with your fake and greedy lifestyle when you get there.

omoagbala60

Upon the mountains of problems crying for solutions, GEJ went to Israel for pilgrimage, a land in constant state of war. Ask the Palestinians. If the sermons in the chapel in Aso Rock will not stop them from robbing the nation blind, what difference will Israel make.

Amodu Dominic

Haaa! Reuben Abati, how people change!! in those days he’s the first to fight the govt. over issues like this but now he defend!
What a country, what a people! may God save Nigeria from prebendalism!!

susan

These mongrels think they own Nigeria. Everyday for the thief,one day for the owner. Animals in human skin.